Rangers blank Caps to end skid

Thursday

Oct 17, 2013 at 12:01 AMOct 17, 2013 at 2:15 AM

WASHINGTON — Henrik Lundqvist earned his 46th NHL shutout, Brad Richards assisted on two New York goals less than two minutes apart in the second period, and the Rangers beat the Washington Capitals 2-0 on Wednesday night to end a three-game losing streak.

The Associated Press

WASHINGTON — Henrik Lundqvist earned his 46th NHL shutout, Brad Richards assisted on two New York goals less than two minutes apart in the second period, and the Rangers beat the Washington Capitals 2-0 on Wednesday night to end a three-game losing streak.

Richards helped set up goals by Ryan Callahan and John Moore, and Lundqvist made the limited offense hold up in a 22-save performance.

The Rangers won for only the second time in six games under first-year coach Alain Vigneault. Their season-opening road swing still has three more stops.

Unable to generate much offense, even with their formidable power play, three-time NHL MVP Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals fell to 2-5.

These teams have met in four of the past five postseasons, splitting those series. The Rangers eliminated the Capitals in the first round in May, with Lundqvist getting shutouts in Games 6 and 7.

Ducks 3, Flames 2

At Anaheim, Calif., Teemu Selanne scored the first goal of his 22nd NHL season, and Anaheim extended the best start in franchise history with its fifth straight victory, topping Calgary.

Dustin Penner and Kyle Palmieri scored first-period goals, and Viktor Fasth made 33 saves for the defending Pacific Division champions, who have won five of their first six games for the first time in the club's two-decade history.

Selanne's 676th career goal late in the second period ended up providing the winning margin for the Ducks, who have won 17 consecutive home games against Calgary since Jan. 19, 2004.

Lee Stempniak scored a short-handed goal and Jiri Hudler got credit for a deflected goal early in the third period for Calgary.

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